266 THE HORSE IN SERVICE 



up to the knee, and back to the starting point. By rolling do^\^l- 

 ward first better support for the bandage is secured. 



Stable Vices. — Wind sucking, as indicated by the name, is a 

 practice in which the horse assumes a position with the upper 

 teeth bearing on the manger or other projecting object and pro- 

 ceeds to suck wind into his stomach, accompanied by a long 

 grunting sound. Wind suckers are difficult to keep in condition. 



Grib-biting is a vice in which the edge of the manger or any 

 other projection is grasped between the teeth and gradually bitten 

 away. The habit results in a characteristic bevelling of the front 

 margins of the teeth, although the wear of a rounded iron feed 

 box may produce much the same appearance of the teeth. Wind 

 sucking and crib-biting are usually associated, although a horse 

 may be subject to one and not the other. The habit is not con- 

 fined to the stable, but may be practiced whenever the opportunity 

 offers. Either a smoothly finished stall in which there is nothing 

 to offer a toothhold or the use of a strap fitted closely enough 

 about the throat to compress the larynx when pressure is borne 

 on the teeth but causing the horse no discomfort when not indulg- 

 ing in the vice, are the usual means of preventing, although not 

 curing, the habit. 



Weaving is a rhythmical shifting of the weight of the fore- 

 hand from one forefoot to the other in much the same manner 

 that is displayed by a bear in captivity. As a rule, enforced 

 idleness is an active cause. It has been suggested that horses 

 tied with chain halter shanks have acquired this habit in order 

 to rattle the chains. 



Kicliing. — Horses kick from various motives, such as mali- 

 ciousness, good feeling, or wilful attempts to injure either com- 

 panions or attendants. A great many horses which never mani- 

 fest an inclination to kick elsewhere acquire the habit of kicking 

 in the stable. Mares are more frequently kickers than geldings. 

 Some horses kick only at feeding time, thus giving vent to their 

 impatience. A true stable kicker appears to have no other ex- 

 cuse than the satisfaction of kicking; for such horses a swing- 

 ing bale partition is recommended. It offers little resistance to 

 the kick and for that reason seems to destroy the desire. Either 



